RSK, a global leader in the delivery of sustainable solutions, has announced the acquisition of Larsen Water Management, an Irish company with 30 years’ experience in water leakage detection that has made a significant contribution to Irish Water’s National Leakage Reduction Programme.

Working from offices in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, Larsen boasts a highly specialised team of around 31. Its engineers serve a client list including Irish Water, Northern Ireland Water, the Health Service Executive, the Office of Public Works and the National Trust. The company has an annual turnover of €2.7 million.

Larsen’s services include leak detection surveys; water leakage audits; fire hydrant testing and data logging field tests for consulting engineers undertaking the design, calibration and validation of hydraulic models of water distribution networks; flow simulation testing on water distribution networks for architects and consultant engineers; and pipe tracing of water mains and service pipe connection.

Managing Director David Smith, who will continue to lead the business, said:

“Joining the RSK Group will facilitate the business to grow and develop within existing and new markets. The RSK ethos and values are very much aligned with our customer and service delivery focused culture.”

RSK Group Chief Executive Officer Alan Ryder said:

“The group is delighted to welcome Larsen Water Management to RSK. With a growing acknowledgement of water as a precious resource, expert skills such as leak detection become increasingly important and valued across the globe. Larsen has a proven track record in this crucial sector, and its expertise extends to serving a consistently strong client base. This is testament to Larsen’s quality, depth of service and capability to manage contracts in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which have seen it maintain longstanding relationships with organisations including Irish Water and Northern Ireland Water.”

He noted that Larsen would strengthen RSK’s presence in Ireland, where the group’s businesses include RSK Ireland, Nicholas O’Dwyer, Dermot Casey Group, Smith+Kennedy Architects, Inis Environmental Consultants, Irish Drilling Limited and Minerex Environmental.

In addition, the acquisition adds to RSK’s skills and experience across the water sector in the UK and Ireland, with the group’s companies including Binnies, WRc, MWH Treatment and WGM Engineering.

As RSK continues to deliver its ambitious growth strategy, it now comprises around 200 companies, employing 12,000 people. The group’s annual turnover at the end of FY22 was £796 million.

The acquisition adviser was Conor Woods of Woods and Partners.